February has a way of clarifying things in women’s college basketball. Teams that are rolling separate themselves from the pack, while others begin to feel the pressure of every possession. The newest AP Top 25 poll reflects exactly that, with momentum, streaks, and conference positioning driving this week’s changes.
At the top, nothing changed. Behind it, nearly everything did.
UConn remains the standard
UConn once again held the unanimous No. 1 spot, collecting every first-place vote after another overwhelming week. The Huskies continued to blow teams out at a historic rate, routing DePaul and Butler and extending a stretch that has them winning games by margins rarely seen this late in the season.
What separates UConn right now is consistency. Night after night, the Huskies look locked in, disciplined, and relentless. With the heart of Big East play ahead, they remain the team everyone is chasing nationally.
UCLA stayed right behind at No. 2, continuing its unbeaten run in Big Ten play. The Bruins’ three-point win over Michigan showed their ability to survive close games, a skill that becomes more valuable as March approaches.
South Carolina and Texas followed, each continuing to look like championship-level teams capable of winning in multiple ways.
Duke delivers the biggest statement
The biggest headline belongs to Duke. The Blue Devils surged six spots to No. 11 after pushing their winning streak to 15 games, the longest active run in the ACC. Their one-point victory over then-No. 6 Louisville didn’t just boost their résumé, it reshaped the conference race.
What makes Duke’s climb stand out is where it started. Back in early December, the Blue Devils were 3-6 and searching for answers. Since then, they have been one of the most consistent teams in the country, winning close games, defending at a high level, and showing poise well beyond their record.
Louisville stayed inside the top 10 despite the loss and remains a major factor in the ACC title chase.
Stability and pressure in the top 10
Michigan, Ohio State, Louisville, and Oklahoma rounded out the top 10. Michigan’s season has been defined by narrow losses, with three of its four defeats coming by three points or fewer against elite competition. Ohio State and Oklahoma continue to stack quality wins in crowded conference races, while Louisville remains one of the most battle-tested teams in the country.
Vanderbilt moved back up into the top five after a strong week, while LSU slipped one spot following its loss to Texas. The Tigers are still dangerous, but the margin for error in the SEC is shrinking fast.
Conference depth on full display
Conference representation continues to tell a big part of the story.
The SEC led the way with nine ranked teams, showcasing its depth from top to bottom. The Big Ten followed with seven teams, highlighted by UCLA, Ohio State, Michigan, and Iowa. The Big 12 placed four teams in the poll, while the ACC landed three. The Big East and Ivy League each had one ranked team, with Princeton once again representing the Ivy on the national stage.
With so many ranked conference matchups still ahead, weekly movement in the poll feels inevitable.
Notable wins that shaped the rankings
UConn’s blowout wins kept the Huskies firmly on top. UCLA’s narrow victory over Michigan preserved its spot at No. 2. Texas’ win over LSU reshuffled the top six, while Duke’s victory over Louisville was the defining result of the week.
Elsewhere, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma quietly continued to build momentum, positioning themselves well for conference tournament season.
Games to watch this week
Several upcoming matchups could shake things up again.
TCU travels to Baylor with first place in the Big 12 on the line, while Princeton heads to Columbia in a pivotal Ivy League showdown that could decide the regular-season title. Later in the week, UConn faces Marquette and South Carolina travels to LSU, two games that will carry major implications for the top of the poll.
Complete AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll (records included)
- UConn Huskies (25–0)
- UCLA Bruins (23–1)
- South Carolina Gamecocks (24–2)
- Texas Longhorns (22–2)
- Vanderbilt Commodores (22–2)
- LSU Tigers (22–3)
- Michigan Wolverines (20–4)
- Ohio State Buckeyes (22–3)
- Louisville Cardinals (22–4)
- Oklahoma Sooners (17–5)
- Duke Blue Devils (18–6)
- Baylor Bears (21–4)
- Michigan State Spartans (20–4)
- Ole Miss Rebels (19–5)
- Iowa Hawkeyes (18–5)
- Texas Tech Red Raiders (22–3)
- TCU Horned Frogs (21–4)
- Kentucky Wildcats (18–6)
- West Virginia Mountaineers (20–5)
- Maryland Terrapins (19–6)
- North Carolina Tar Heels (20–5)
- Tennessee Lady Volunteers (15–6)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (20–5)
- Princeton Tigers (19–2)
- Washington Huskies (18–6)
With February underway and conference races tightening, the AP Top 25 is beginning to reflect not just talent, but resilience. The teams that continue to win now are the ones positioning themselves for deep March runs.